Corfu skywatchers have a special reason to look towards the western horizon this evening, August 12, 2026, as a partial solar eclipse will become visible shortly before sunset.
The event is part of a major solar eclipse crossing parts of the Northern Hemisphere. While some areas of Europe will experience a total eclipse, Corfu will see only a small partial eclipse as the Moon passes across the edge of the Sun.
What Time Will the Solar Eclipse Begin in Corfu?
In Corfu, the partial solar eclipse is expected to begin at approximately 20:33.
It will reach its maximum at around 20:37, when approximately 2.35% of the Sun’s surface will be covered by the Moon.
The eclipse will end at approximately 20:40, so the entire event visible from Corfu will last only around seven minutes.
Because the Sun will already be very low in the western sky, anyone hoping to see the eclipse should choose a location with a clear and unobstructed view towards the sunset.
What about the rest of Greece? The partial solar eclipse will be visible only from parts of Greece, mainly in the west, beginning from around 20:30 and ending by approximately 20:40, depending on the location. Athens, for example, will not see the eclipse, while Corfu is among the best-positioned areas in Greece to observe it shortly before sunset.
Eye Safety Comes First
Although only a small part of the Sun will be covered in Corfu, there is no safe moment to look directly at the Sun with the naked eye during a partial solar eclipse. The fact that the Sun is close to the horizon at sunset does not make direct viewing safe. Ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, do not provide sufficient protection.
Anyone wishing to look directly at the eclipse should use proper solar eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers that comply with the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard.
Be Especially Careful With Cameras, Binoculars and Telescopes
Never point a camera, telescope or binoculars directly at the Sun unless the equipment has a specially designed solar filter securely attached to the front of the optics.
Do not look through binoculars, telescopes or camera lenses while wearing eclipse glasses. These optical devices concentrate sunlight and require their own special solar filters.
A Simple and Safe Alternative
If you do not have eclipse glasses, you can still follow the event using an indirect projection method.
A simple pinhole projector can project an image of the Sun onto a piece of paper or another surface. Even the small holes in a kitchen colander can project multiple images of the partially eclipsed Sun.
Always keep your back towards the Sun when using this method and never look directly through the hole towards the Sun.
The Perseids Arrive Later Tonight
The astronomical show does not finish when the Sun goes down.
During the night of August 12 into the early hours of August 13, the famous Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak.
Viewing conditions in 2026 are expected to be particularly favourable because the Perseids coincide with a New Moon. With very little moonlight illuminating the sky, even fainter meteors should be easier to see from dark locations.
For the best experience, try to move away from the bright lights of Corfu Town, hotels and busy tourist resorts. Find a safe location with a wide view of the night sky and allow your eyes some time to adjust to the darkness.
The hours after midnight and before dawn generally provide some of the best opportunities for spotting Perseid meteors.
A Special Night for Corfu
Corfu therefore has two astronomical events to enjoy tonight: a brief partial solar eclipse at sunset followed by the peak of the Perseid meteor shower later during the night.
If the skies remain clear, August 12 could become one of the most memorable nights of the summer for visitors and residents who enjoy watching the night sky.
Looking for quieter areas around the island? Take a look at our Corfu map and explore locations away from the lights of Corfu Town.
Will you be watching the solar eclipse or the Perseids from Corfu tonight? Tell us where you plan to watch them in the comments below.
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